New York Islanders Losing Streak Has Lost Them Fan Support As Well

Islander fans were looking forward to what they thought would be a breakout year. They thought with the young core of Tavares, Moulson, Comeau, Okposo, Bailey, etc, they'd be able to make big strides in the league. However, they've found the opposite of their goals, as they are on a 13-game slide, with only two possible points out of 26—each OT losses.

After the 11th loss of the 13-game slide, general manager Garth Snow decided a coaching change was necessary. He fired head coach Scott Gordon, and brought in Jack Capuano, who spent some time behind the bench of the Islanders AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Capuano's first game as head coach did not go as planned, as the Islanders fell to the Tampa Bay Lightning, 4-2. Moulson and Tavares scored the Isles goals.

What's odd is that in Capuano's first game, only 8,025 fans showed up. You would think with a new coach, it would draw the fans' attention. It goes to show how bad the Isles have been playing recently. This was only the second time since the lockout in 2004-05 that the building hasn't even sold half of its seats. The only other time was last season, Dec. 19 vs. the Canadiens, with a total of 8,025.

One Islander said, "We haven't exactly been giving the fans a reason to come out." The Islanders want their fans to give them a boost, but the fans haven't wanted to come out thanks to the dismal play of their team.

In the Islanders' second game with Capuano behind the bench they had another poor night of attendance with 9,157 people, on a Saturday night 4-1 loss vs. the Florida Panthers. Needless to say, the fans have not been coming to support the Islanders.

If the Isles want more attendance, they'll need to start winning some games, and the fans will show up. The fans need to come and lend the team a hand, so the team can help give the fans something to cheer for.